The head of the Mu family

Chapter 132 Engagement

Yangzhou Prefecture was still quite lively.

Perhaps it's because it's the end of the year, but there were many women out on the streets, most of them wearing hats.

When Huaisheng saw the candied hawthorn vendor, he bought one skewer for each of his four children.

Qianyan, holding a candied hawthorn: ...

"I won't eat it, this is just for kids!"

"Hey~ let's split this string of yours."

Today, we are all children~

As he spoke, he broke off two pieces and handed them to Uncle Mo.

"Uncle Mo, your teeth aren't very good, have a couple to eat for fun~"

"Alright, Master! Hahaha!"

Qianyan's expression softened, and she and Huaisheng divided the rest, one for each of them.

The group browsed around and bought some more trinkets.

I bought everyone a wooden animal whistle, but no one blew it at first.

Huai Sheng first blew at them, then Uncle Xiao Mo blew, and the three children followed suit. Qian Yan couldn't resist either.

They went to a clothing store and had everyone measured and bought a new set of clothes, cotton boots, and socks.

Qianyan insisted on paying the money and asked the shopkeeper to deliver it directly to the inn.

No more missions needed; I bought women's clothes for all the girls.

They also bought new headdresses for the Mu family members and picked one out for Qianyan as well.

I also bought two velvet flowers for each of the girls.

I also bought a set of rouge and face powder, and two bottles of face cream.

We'd buy whatever we saw at the roadside food stalls and share it with everyone.

While still at the food stall, we bumped into the people who had come out earlier.

Everyone chuckled, and Huai Sheng and his group picked up their wooden whistles and blew them at them.

Everyone laughed and dispersed, happily going off to explore on their own.

Everyone didn't get back until dark, and no one was able to eat dinner, so they just drank some milk before bed and went to sleep.

The next day, the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, after everyone had breakfast, the ready-made clothes from the clothing store were delivered.

Apart from the few people who went to buy it that day, everyone else was somewhat moved.

Huai Sheng then gave each girl two velvet flowers, each matching the color of her dress.

We went to visit Slender West Lake again. There's not much to see in winter, but we didn't regret it anyway.

At the age of twenty-nine, Huaisheng learned that the brothels on Yangzhou's street were still in business.

Since everyone was dressed in men's clothing, I encouraged them to go see the performance.

At Huai Sheng's urging, we booked a large private room with two tables.

The group started by drinking tea and listening to storytelling at noon, and then went to the brothel to watch performances in the evening.

On New Year's Eve, Huaisheng took everyone to get a bath and a pedicure.

Everyone: Uh... Never mind, we're so happy!

Mu Huaisheng: Let me show you the benefits of entertainment~

On New Year's Eve, everyone washed themselves clean and sat together to keep vigil. Huai Sheng then gave everyone a reward.

"I'll pay the reward!"

Qianyan pressed Huaisheng down and said.

"I've sent it, please send it again~"

Wouldn't everyone be even happier that way?

These past few days, everyone has been enlivened by Huai Sheng's antics, and they all readily agreed to join in the teasing.

It's the first day of the new year, and it's time to give out rewards again, twice as many times!

"Miss Mu, we feel a little awkward~"

What's so awkward about it?

You guys are so beautiful~

Right, girl?

"That's right~ Sunny is right~"

Look, Qingyun agrees too!

"Miss Mu~ You three are truly beautiful!"

We're not doing anything here~

Is this a good outfit?

"Ladies, take a look in the mirror!"

Isn't it beautiful?

Silly Arui~ We're beautiful, aren't we happy?

It has nothing to do with whether it's good or bad. Everyone looks beautiful today, the first day of the Lunar New Year. Tomorrow, you can decide for yourself!

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the girls spent ages fussing over their rooms, and when they came out, they were all as fresh as flowers!

Those clueless youngsters were dumbfounded, and everyone couldn't help but laugh.

Qianyan's eyes lit up when she looked at Huaisheng, and the three little ones' ears turned red again when they saw him.

Three little things:

The head of the family is actually a woman!

The girls gathered together and laughed happily.

Everyone started playing cards together. Since they were out and about, Huaisheng didn't want them to make money, so he suggested that the loser should drink water.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, several girls, without prior arrangement, dressed up beautifully again.

Everyone started playing chess, and Huaisheng wouldn't let Qianyan make a move, so he made him the referee instead.

The girls are still just as beautiful in their third year of junior high!

They gathered together and started rolling dice; the loser had to drink water.

On the fourth day, I took them to play a game of chess with pieces from the bottom of a bowl, and the loser had to tell a short story.

On the fifth day, after distributing the reward money to everyone, I took everyone to take a bath, believing that water brings wealth!

After the fifth day of the lunar new year, everyone packed up and prepared to return home, and they all switched to horse-drawn carriages for the return journey.

Huaisheng discussed with Qianyan:

"Should we send Qingtian and Xuanjin back to Daliang? They've been away for over a year."

Sure!

Then let's send Xuanmu and Qingyun instead.

Otherwise, I always feel like I might lose you again someday.

"Hmm... okay~"

That works too~

"What I said..."

You said you'd think it over carefully, didn't you?

After thinking for a moment, Huai Sheng solemnly told Qian Yan about what had happened at the border.

"That's outrageous!"

Military doctors saving lives should be praised as a favor, but they are unworthy of being called men who protect their country!

And that Li Rongchuan, I've always thought of him as a good person.

How can he make decisions for two people on his own?

Besides, I don't think one person's heart can belong to two people.

Mu Huaisheng: This child has been deeply influenced by me since childhood.

In this era, everyone is like this~

However, for me, this idea is a good thing.

"Everyone does it this way, so it's understandable that they think this way."

"But they can't treat you like this!"

There's no such thing as "should" or "shouldn't"~

There are far too many things in this world that shouldn't happen.

“Huaisheng, I’ve also considered and struggled with the concerns you had before.”

But my heart tells me that the only person I want to be with is you!

After hearing what you said about the border situation, I felt both angry and secretly relieved...

When Huai Sheng heard Qian Yan bring up the topic again, he didn't hesitate.

"Okay, you've thought it through now. You can think about it again later if things don't look good."

If you're still thinking the same way when you're nineteen, then we'll... well, you know.

"Okay~ It's a deal!"

"Well...we're engaged now!"

Uh... I guess so!

"I can finally give you a birthday gift openly and legitimately."

I've prepared your birthday gift for this year; it will arrive a little late.

I've prepared everything for you every year!

"What? Then why didn't you give it to me?"

"You've never had a birthday celebration, so I can't just give you something without your consent."

"You've ruined my feeling of being touched just now~"

Qianyan solemnly took Huaisheng's hand, and Huaisheng felt that his palms were sweating nervously, which touched him.

Suddenly, Qingtian called from outside the door that it was time for dinner, and the two of them let go of each other as if they had been electrocuted.

Mu Huaisheng: How foolish!

He's not even seventeen yet, what did you just do?

He was young and confused, and so were you!

Qianyan's ears turned red, and she hurriedly stood up and went out first, followed by Huaisheng.

When eating, the two of them still sit at one table.

The two of them barely spoke, only occasionally smiling and serving food to Huaisheng.

While taking an evening stroll, Qianyan secretly tried to hold Huaisheng's hand under the cover of darkness.

Huai Sheng withdrew his hand as if she were a thief, but Qian Yan just assumed she was shy and secretly felt sweet inside.

Mu Huaisheng: You came of age in your time, but you weren't even an adult in my time!

There's something troubling me, and I can't get over it!

We're already engaged, so just wait a little longer. Wait another year and a half and I'll take the initiative until you're scared!